Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ingenious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingenious are adroit, clever, and cunning. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

In what contexts can adroit take the place of ingenious?

The meanings of adroit and ingenious largely overlap; however, adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

When is it sensible to use clever instead of ingenious?

The words clever and ingenious can be used in similar contexts, but clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might cunning be a better fit than ingenious?

Although the words cunning and ingenious have much in common, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ingenious Alcatraz, the real one in California, was defeated by two ingenious inmates with sharp spoons. Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025 Hackers are, by their very nature, ingenious and inventive. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Some of the most ingenious tech has been inspired by nature. ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025 The Pool – Go behind the scenes as the talented creative team uncovers how Charlie's ingenious plan involving the sky pool was conceived, planned and executed, blending practical effects and cutting-edge technology to deliver a show-stopping moment. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenious
Adjective
  • Readers raved about the inventive New Mexican cuisine and the destination’s natural beauty—sitting at 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year.
    Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • Whatever happens thereafter in David and Leslie Newman’s inventive and energetic script is inevitably some thing of a letdown although — not much.
    Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s head (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 July 2025
  • The bar is a buzzy and boozy affair from 5 to 6 p.m. daily, where guests and locals gather in a ritualistic ceremony to visit and try some of the clever cocktails (like the Tropical Storm and Drunken Pimento) for which Ooshan has become known.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sample the fruits of a burgeoning wine scene in the Finger Lakes A new crop of innovative winemakers is raising the bar in the Finger Lakes wine region, where unique grape varieties and low-intervention practices are increasingly replacing the sweeter wines long associated with the area.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
  • Involve your team in brainstorming sessions to find innovative ways to achieve goals with limited resources.
    Shavonnah Schreiber, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Room 11, 10-11 a.m. San Diego International Children’s Film Festival The San Diego International Children’s Film Festival features creative, exciting, and imaginative short films from around the world—animation, live-action, and documentary—good for all ages.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Thanks to a script by Heather Hach and Leslie Dixon, the new Freaky plays the obvious gags in ways both surprising and imaginative.
    Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • With so many people looking for work, there‘s intense competition for those jobs, and the ways to apply can be creative and involved.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
  • Burton designed Kate's wedding dress while at Alexander McQueen and the princess has worn McQueen numerous further times since, while Burton was creative director.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenious. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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